Movie Reviews

A Principal Achivement In The Suspense-Thriller Genre

Gus Mauro | Brandon,mb | 06/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a thriiler worthy of high ranking Gary oldman plays the defense attorney who gets psycho Kevin Bacon aquitted of murder charges and then soon realizes the big mistake he made when his cilent starts taunting him by killing again and again. Noteworthy performaces all around and backed up by a memorable film score. If you want to see Kevin Bacon in a different role that expands his acting capabilties see this film, as for Gary Oldman this is one of his most acomplished works. A far cry from his usual bad guy over the edge type characters. I love this film!"

Criminal Law: A landmark in the careers of Bacon & Oldman

Gus Mauro | 01/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Criminal Law, released in 1989, gave a door-opening opportunity for Gary Oldman to enter the world of "real" Hollywood movies, and provided an opportunity for Kevin bacon to demonstrate his talent in a career slow spell. The plot is a well constructed thriller with Bacon playing the malevolent client of Gary Oldman's maverick neophyte criminal lawyer. Oldman gives an excellent portrayal of a young egotist torn between the oath of client confidentiality and the knowledge that his client is guilty. Bacon is brilliant as the cold genius client. A third very creditable performance is delivered by Joe-Don Baker who plays a tenacious wizened investigator. Overall the script provides for a tense thriller with much food for thought, laying the groundwork for similar movies one and a half decades later such as "Seven" and "Kiss the girls". I'd recommend it highly, but not on a dark rainy night if you're alone."

The acting is the main attraction

Scott FS | Sacramento, CA United States | 07/12/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Both Gary Oldman and Kevin Bacon are superb in this thriller set in Boston. In both the courtroom and in the darkness of the depravity of the mind, this tense drama plays out to a powerful conclusion.

Oldman plays Ben Chase, a young attorney bouyed by his early successes who defends Martin Thiel, accused of murder. Chase realizes that Thiel not only is guilty, but has not given up his murderous ways; in fact, he is a serial killer.

The plot is pretty simple; Chase realizes that he has unleased a killer whose mind has been unhinged by his mother's decision to abort him as a developing baby. What does an ethical man do when he knows someone has used him in a horrific way?

Tess Harper does her fine usual job (and looks good doing it) as detective Stillwell, and Joe Don Baker (detective Mesel) is good playing the character he usually plays, a gruff but effective supporting character.

The true interest in the film is the main character's acting. The staging is well done, the cinematography is fine. The final scene illustrates the fact that there is often little separating the law from the crime. Perhaps we are all capable of acting on our more base impulses. There are a few plot holes (such as, where are the bailiffs and the police in the climatic courthouse scene). But over-all, it's a fine movie.

Recommended. Three and one-half stars."

Criminally Insane

C. A. Luster | Burke, VA USA | 08/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had this on VHS for years so you can imagine I'm thrilled to have it available on DVD now. I know a number of people that enjoy this movie. Any critic that thinks this movie lacks wit is criminally insane. This is a fine thriller with Gary Oldman and Kevin Bacon turning in excellent performances. When a Boston attorney, played by Oldman realizes he has got his client off a murder charge when he was guilty, he tries to figure out away to make retribution. But the killer, played by Bacon, isn't going to make that easy at all. If you enjoy this be sure to catch "The Juror" and "The Client"."